In the Cockpit’s customizing tables define a series of parameters like regions, countries (ideal for multinational environments), allowed fields, default values, material master views individual configurations, that will let the program to filter data and make the appropriate file validations. Usually this configurations will be very time resistant and therefore only tweaks are needed,

After the configurations are made, the users can then distribute the Microsoft Excel templates accordingly. These templates are automatically generated by the cockpit and provide all the required and allowed fields to the task in hand.

The use of Microsoft Excel files to collect all the data permits easy sharing via e-mail, webpage, central network or cloud folder to users that must provide data, but that necessarily don’t have SAP user license, access to an SAP client technology or access to Material Master data due to their role in the organization. Example: A Financial area user may be asked to provide material accounting data without the need to change his authorization profile to include Material Master access.

This approach also provide the user with a familiar working tool, diminishing the amount of time needed for training.

The final step in the process is the return of the filled files, typically to a centralized person or department. This person will then be responsible for the upload and checking of the delivered data. In case of errors or data inconsistencies the program will display and store in the cockpit logs those events.